800k Bht and 400k Bht new Imm rules

[fishy]

Appreciate the new Extension of Stay ..retirement visa topic has been flogged to death in many forums. What I am trying to find out is does the new rules apply to existing extension of stay holders. I renewed my extension in January. I did not do my 90 report in April as I have exited the kingdom to dodge Songkran and so missed my opportunity to ask at Burriram Imm  what's the story with the new rules. Can anyone clarify that an existing extension of stay holder can dip below the 400k bht this year or do you have to play by the new rules set out already. Is there a grandfather clause for people who had an extension before the new rules where enforced?

Reading heaps of forums on the subject but cant find an answer.

[iammike]

The only grandfather rule was the old one for people who have been granted an extension before October 1st 2006.

The NEW rules that want in to effect March 1st there are NO grandfather rules so when applied (for new extension after October 2006) you need to have the 800k and adhere to the 400k min balance

Please Starman correct me if I am wrong on this.

[Starman]

Officially, the new rules only apply to those who did their extension on or after 1st March.

@Fishy. You are not under the new rules, officially. You can spend your money but make sure you have 800k 2 months (maybe 3 depending on IO) before you extend next time. At that point you will be under the new rules as you would have extended after 1st March 2019.

[iammike]

WOW that is a very gray area !!

So it could mean that even you are not under the NEW Rules, you drop under the 400k the IO can say "You don't qualify".

IMHO I would stay over the 400k min in any case. (If possible)  just to be sure

[Starman]

With the Thai news reporting today that the top immigration guy "Big Joke" has been moved to an inactive post, maybe the rules will change back.

[iammike]

I hope you are right about that one and NO wonder why many people are switching to extensions based on Marriage

[fishy]

Officially, the new rules only apply to those who did their extension on or after 1st March.

@Fishy. You are not under the new rules, officially. You can spend your money but make sure you have 800k 2 months (maybe 3 depending on IO) before you extend next time. At that point you will be under the new rules as you would have extended after 1st March 2019.

Starman, Iammike thank you for your feedback,
I see it as the new rules do not apply in my circumstance and many like me until I re-apply for my next extension in Jan next year then (have 800kBht cooking in bank 2 months prior to application + 3 months after + do not go under 400k bht in Bank account thereafter).

I wonder if enough fellangs got together and put a submission into the next ruling government (you can guess who that will be) about how crazy these changes are if you might get a response to it. By By Big Joke..

To me personally at the end of the year I spend down on my bank account and clear it out. That's my budget for the year. Now Thailand will miss out on my 400kbht I was going to spend..TiT        

[Starman]

Officially, the new rules only apply to those who did their extension on or after 1st March.

@Fishy. You are not under the new rules, officially. You can spend your money but make sure you have 800k 2 months (maybe 3 depending on IO) before you extend next time. At that point you will be under the new rules as you would have extended after 1st March 2019.

I see it as the new rules do not apply in my circumstance and many like me until I re-apply for my next extension in Jan next year then (have 800kBht cooking in bank 2 months prior to application + 3 months after + do not go under 400k bht in Bank account thereafter).

That is the official rule, yes.

Beware that some immigration offices are still asking for 3 months prior, even for applications after 1st March.

[fishy]

So some officials are asking for 800k bht to be cooking in bank for 6 months... fark me....      

[Starman]

So some officials are asking for 800k bht to be cooking in bank for 6 months... fark me....      

Harsh as it may seem, it must be remembered that this new rule was introduced to stem the amount of people using agents and agents' money in order to get an extension.

[fishy]

Harsh as it may seem, it must be remembered that this new rule was introduced to stem the amount of people using agents and agents' money in order to get an extension.

Interesting times to see how the agents and Immigration deal with the scenario. I'm sure their upset money wise with the change more than the fellang is.

[Smithy]

Harsh as it may seem, it must be remembered that this new rule was introduced to stem the amount of people using agents and agents' money in order to get an extension.

Interesting times to see how the agents and Immigration deal with the scenario. I'm sure their upset money wise with the change more than the fellang is.

With the old rules the 800k had to be in the bank 2/3 months ( depending on it being your 1st or 2nd extention ) and that never stopped the Immigaration Officals colluding with the Visa Agents to by-pass the rules. I'm sure these new rules wont make much difference apart from those wanting to use the service having to dig a little deeper into their pockets to grease a few more palms 

[gotlost]

Harsh as it may seem, it must be remembered that this new rule was introduced to stem the amount of people using agents and agents' money in order to get an extension.

Interesting times to see how the agents and Immigration deal with the scenario. I'm sure their upset money wise with the change more than the fellang is.

With the old rules the 800k had to be in the bank 2/3 months ( depending on it being your 1st or 2nd extention ) and that never stopped the Immigaration Officals colluding with the Visa Agents to by-pass the rules. I'm sure these new rules wont make much difference apart from those wanting to use the service having to dig a little deeper into their pockets to grease a few more palms 

+1 

[Prakhonchai Nick]

For anyone under 60, it would be well worth considering an application for Permanent Residence. Over 60 and it may not prove cost effectve.

Got mine 30 years ago. No messing about with extensions or 90 day reporting. Worth every baht of the 25,000bt it cost me then.

[DeputyDavid]

I did look into it recently. I don?t have the language skills to get through the interview or test, but I will be working towards that.